Man’s Jacket, ILE2006.4.338

Title Man’s Jacket
Culture Minangkabau
Geography Silungkang, Solok, Sumatra, Indonesia
Date 19th century
Medium Silk, cotton, gold and silver thread, and felt; embroidery and appliqué
Dimensions 20 1/16 × 18 7/8 in. (51 × 48 cm)
Credit Line Robert J. Holmgren and Anita E. Spertus Collection, Promised gift of Thomas Jaffe, B.A. 1971
Inv. No. ILE2006.4.338
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This sleeveless jacket has mauve, orange, and light green vertical stripes and features embroidery in gold thread along the front opening, with gold thread buttons down one side and gold thread loops against a blue felt strip on the other side. The lining is white cotton, with small single red flowers. The tailoring and style of embroidered is influenced by Islamic garments from the Safavid (1501–1736) and Qajar (1789–1925) dynasties of Iran. The jacket may have been imported from Western Asia. —RB